Several years ago a young man named Jared became somewhat of an American celebrity. It was all because of the massive amount of weight he lost. A deli-sandwich chain featured him in a lot of their advertising the last couple of years.

He says he lost basically the equivalent of another whole person, largely by eating their low-fat, low-calorie turkey sandwich for months. And as Jared’s body has been shrinking, the sandwich chain has been growing!

Advertisers know the best way to sell a product, whether it’s a diet plan, exercise equipment, a medication – have someone who’s living proof of their product’s effectiveness tell their story. For two thousand years, that’s what has motivated people to pursue the most important thing in life – a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s the most effective way to interest people you know in Jesus – just tell them your story.

Some call it their “testimony.” I call it your personal hope story. It is the story only you can tell. It is the story of what Jesus Christ has done in your own life.

There’s a great template for that story in the Word of God in John 9:25. Jesus had healed a man who was blind from birth. Then, the enemies of Jesus tried to get the man to acknowledge that Jesus was a sinner because He had healed on the Sabbath. I love this man’s reply: “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

He refused to get entangled in their religious questions. He just tells them the difference Jesus has made – no one can argue about that. That’s what you need to tell the folks in your world.

They’re not that interested in all our theology and our beliefs. Here’s what they want to know: “What difference does Jesus make?” Your life is the answer that is right in front of them – if you’ll tell your story.

You need to take a little time and think through your Jesus story – your “once I was _______ but now I ______________.” That’s your story. Take a piece of paper and make three sections: “B.C.” – what I was like before I began my relationship with Jesus; then, “The Turning Point” – how I began my relationship with Jesus; and “A.D.” – the difference Jesus has made and is making.

Maybe you say, “But I was pre-natally nice.” You don’t have a dramatic turnaround to tell about, but does that mean Jesus isn’t making any difference in your life? Your assignment is to put these words at the top of a piece of paper – “If it weren’t for Jesus…”

Start writing the ways your life would be different if there was no Jesus – how you handle your lonely times, your hurting times, your stressful times. How would you be different as a single person, a married person, a parent, a boss, a friend if there were no Jesus?

People don’t just want to know about how you got started with Jesus. They want to know what difference He makes in your everyday life.

You have a story that’s all yours, which only you can tell. It’s ultimately not a story about you – it’s about the Man who is making your life what it could never have been without Him. It’s a story that could help someone you know be in Heaven with you!